Homan's Contract Released Under New Law

A South Dakota law requiring employee contracts to be made public is now in effect. With that, the Sioux Falls School District has now posted Superintendent Pam Homan's contract on its website.

Making the documents public was a priority for some South Dakota lawmakers this session, including Representative Hal Wick.

"I think taxpayers deserve to know where the dollars go," Wick said.

Wick co-sponsored Senate Bill 106, requiring the disclosure of public employee contracts. Questions were raised last fall when a request was made to view several superintendents’ contracts.

"That probably sparked it a little bit because it wasn't just one here. There were three of them if I remember right, all frankly in larger communities of the state," Wick said.

Homan's contract was one not released. The district cited a law allowing for personnel information to be withheld, besides salary. Representatives for the district said if the law were to change they would make the contract public. As of 12:01 Monday morning, they made good on their word.

"It's still tax payer dollars being given to somebody working for a government entity. And I think the people deserve to see that," Wick said.

Homan's contract is a nine-page document. The contract released from 2010-2011 lay out her $181,000 salary, 20 vacation days and other benefits, including a $5,200 district entertainment expense and use of a vehicle.

They're just a few details that Wick says help make government more transparent.

"I think everything in government needs to be open and easier to find," Wick said.

Homan did show her contract to a local radio host in the fall, saying she had a right to show anyone she wanted but she couldn't give a copy of it.

We asked to speak with her today, however she was not available for an interview.